POTENTIAL recruits to the body tasked with creating a blueprint for what kind of country Scotland should be will be asked how they voted in the independence and EU referendums as well as for their broader political affiliation.
Participants of the Citizens’ Assembly are being selected randomly to reflect the population in terms of outlook on the major constitutional issues, as well as on geographical spread and socio-economic background such as age, gender, ethnicity and educational qualifications.
The aim is to ensure the group is a “mini public” which is representative of the wider population, with data published yesterday showing a target of around 40% independence supporters, 45% opposed to independence, 6% undecided and 9% of people who would not vote.
David Martin, one of the conveners of the assembly, said one of the more difficult issues in considering what questions should be asked in the selection process was whether or not to ask potential recruits about their political affiliation.
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He said it was decided that in order to get a genuine cross section of the populations such questions should be asked.
He said: “There are three questions that are being asked. Historically, how did you vote in the Scottish Parliament elections and how are you likely to vote in the Scottish Parliament election; how did you vote on Brexit and how did you vote on independence.”
Martin referred to attacks by some over the appointment of pollster Mark Diffley, who also works with the independent research company set up by former SNP depute leader Angus Robertson, to underline criticisms that the assembly would be tilted towards the SNP.
But in a bid to counter these claims, he pointed out that only 30% of members would be SNP voters.
“There was some controversy over the appointment of Mark Diffley ... I have to say I think he has come up with a very robust methodology here where we are taking the average of opinion polls over the last year and we have come up with a percentage for each category.
“That percentage may not please everyone – you will see only 30% of the members will be people who have historically voted SNP, which probably at the current level underestimates their support, but that is the average.”
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The recruitment process is already under way, with each member receiving £200 per weekend for taking part in the assembly over six residential weekends.
The Tories and LibDems have said they will boycott the assembly, arguing that it is part of a ploy by the Scottish Government to increase support for independence.
But the terms of reference for the assembly, published yesterday, insisted it would be independent of the Scottish Government.
Hitting back at accusations by the Tories and LibDems, the assembly’s two conveners said parties which did not want to be associated with the initiative would be “foolish” and “foolhardy”.
“The Conservatives and Liberals have said they don’t want to be associated with this perhaps,” said Martin.
“It would make no difference to the function of the assembly, but I think they would be very foolish to turn their heads away from this as, for example, almost one in five of the participants if we are successful in recruitment will be historic Conservative voters, and I’m not sure how they would feel about their party saying ‘we are having nothing to do with this’.”
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Fellow convener and third sector leader Kate Wimpress added: “This is an opportunity for the parties. People will be in the room, giving up their time, willing to engage in the debate. It would be foolhardy to ignore that.”
In the document published by the Scottish Government outlining the remit and terms of reference, titled “The Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland – Scotland’s Constitutional Future”, it also states that the assembly will “examine the current constitutional arrangements” and consider the options for “constitutional reform” in order to overcome challenges brought by Brexit.
It also indicates the report, which will ultimately be produced by the assembly, must provide recommendations that are “relevant to the remit, based on evidence heard by the assembly and capable of being put into practice”.
The report would then be put before Holyrood for scrutiny and debate, before ministers publish a plan setting out how the recommendations will be taken forward.
Constitutional Relations Secretary Michael Russell said: “This remit creates the framework within which the assembly will operate and provides a new way for Scotland’s future to be debated in an impartial, open way, free from political interference and vested interests.
“I hope that, in turn, sparks a wider national conversation.”
Tory MSP Adam Tomkins claimed the assembly would only be used to discuss Scottish independence.
TIMETABLE: What happens now?
RECRUITMENT has got under way for the 130 or so members from around Scotland to take part in the Citizens’ Assembly.
It will gather formally for the first time over the weekend of October 26 in Edinburgh before switching to the Glasgow area for a further five weekends over the following months.
The weekends will be residential, with the west coast sessions taking place at the Golden Jubilee Hospital in Clydebank. The final session is expected to take place in April next year.
A report will subsequently be presented to Holyrood for debate and scrutiny as well as to the Scottish Government.
Ministers are committed to acting within 90 days of the assembly making its recommendations, publishing a plan setting out how the recommendations will be taken forward. The assembly will have independence from government and be able to decide its own agenda and which challenges it wishes to consider.
Its recommendations must be “relevant to the remit, based on evidence heard by the assembly and capable of being put into practice”.
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